More derby blues for the Potters

There was real confidence amongst supporters that the poor displays in recent derby matches would be put behind them and Stoke could earn the bragging rights over their neighbours Crewe.

However, in true Stoke style, an abject performance was punished by a goal in each half from Kenny Lunt and Potters fans left Gresty Road knowing any chance of the play-offs had been distinguished.

Only a fantastic, last ditch tackle from Wayne Thomas prevented Crewe from opening the scoring through Steve Jones early on, Craig Hignett fired over when he really should have done better after seven minutes and Ed De Goey saved well from Billy Jones.

Stoke were riding their luck but it came to an end after 25 minutes when Kenny Lunt mis-hit a shot inside the area only to see Marcus Hall stick out a leg and deflect the ball into his own net.

The Potters were seeing most of the ball but time and again the ball was spread left to either Peter Hoekstra or Marcus Hall and the delivery from the flank was quite simply atrocious. Hoekstra was having a torrid time and didn’t beat a man all half. The first half ended with no player coming out with any real credit.

It was no surprise to see Kris Commons come on to the field at half time, a welcome substitution for Hoekstra. Stoke again were seeing most of the ball but doing very little with it. Balls were bouncing off the front pair, in particular Akinbiyi and it was painstakingly obvious how much Gifton Noel-Williams was being missed.

However, Stoke were unlucky not to equalise in the 53^rd minute. Akinbiyi pressured Stephen Foster in the six yard box and robbed the defender of the ball only to see his toe-poke roll against the post.

City paid the price for this miss six minutes later when a Gerry Taggart block looped into the air and Kenny Lunt hit a fantastic 20 yards volley past De Goey.

The Potters could feel aggrieved to be two goals down as in truth Crewe had hardly got near the final third but Stoke could only manage long range efforts and barely troubled Ben Williams in goal.

Time was running out but with 20 minutes left Akinbiyi was left with only the ‘keeper to beat after a poor back pass and everyone including the striker himself thought it was a goal but once again the ball bounced back off the post.

Brynjar Gunnarsson-who has now signed permanently until the end of the season- came on to help the cause but it was not to be. Carl Asaba clipped the bar and John Halls had a header cleared off the line but Crewe held on to their clean sheet and to be honest a well-deserved three points.

No Stoke player went missing to be fair and there was no shortage of commitment but on the night, there was too many players who were nowhere near at their best. The passing was awful, delivery into the box was time and again dreadful and the finishing was pitiful. All in all a rather predictable derby display.

There must however be a mention for John Halls and in particular Gerry Taggart. Despite the calamitous performance around these two players, they were both excellent and along with Commons when he came on, were the only ones to come out with any credit.